Predetermining apparatus for liquid dispensing pumps



Dec. 15, 1942. J MANGAN 2,305,221

PREDETERMINING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING PUMPS Filed Feb. 19, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 M I am i IA cam-s /6@ g I I F 1 3 wow KM L/ZJSEPH 5 MANGAN Dec. 15, 1942. J. B. MANGAN 2,305,221

PREDETERMINING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING PUMPS Filed Feb. 19, 1940 '7 sheets-Sheet 2 A awue/wm E JOSEPH Z3 MqNGAN WWO) Dec. 15, 1942. 2,305,221

PREDETERMINING APPARATUS FORVLIQUIDDISPENSING PUMPS J. B. MANGAN Filed Feb. 19, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet a JbSEPH 5 Mme/1N Dec. 15, 1942.

J. B. MANGAN PREDETERMINING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING PUMPS Filed Feb. 19,, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 YQW JosEPH 5. MANGAN Dec. 15, 1942. J. B. MANGAN 2,305,221

PREDETERMINING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING PUMPS Filed Feb. 19 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 15, 1942. J MANGAN 2,305,221

'PREDETERMI'NING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING PUMPS Filed Feb. 19, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 CENTS MANUAL CONTROL GALLONS TENTHS Defi 1942- J. a. MANGAN 2,305,221

PREDETERMINING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING PUMPS Filed Febwl 1940 7 ShBGtS-Shfifit 7 3 wu wwto'o JOSEPH 5. fl/ANGAN Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE PREDETERMINING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSIN PUMPS Joseph B. Mangan, Wethersfield, com't, asslgnor to Veeder-Root Incorporated, Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application February 19, 1940, Serial No. 319,577 13 Claims. (Cl. 221- 101) This invention relates to a predetermining mechanism for use in liquid dispensing pumps of the type having a meter and a computer driven thereby, the computer being provided with means for indicating the amount of liquid dispensed during each transaction, means for registering the total cost or value of the liquid so dispensed, and a speed variating mechanism through which the indicating means are driven. A computer of this type is illustrated and described in the United States patent to Edward A. Slye, No. 2,111,996 dated March 20, 1938.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided'a predetermining apparatus having a preset counter adapted to be set to indicate,

. either in terms of volume or in value, the amount of liquid to be dispensed on any transaction; predetermining mechanism constructed and arranged to automatically reduce the flow of liquid being dispensed to a dribble just before the predetermined amountof liquid has been dispensed, and then completely stop the fiow of liquid when the total amount has been dispensed; means for connecting the preset counter and predetermining mechanism to the amount indicating portion or the value indicating portion of the computer; means for simultaneously presetting the preset counter and the predetermining mechanism in accordance with the. predetermined amount or value of liquid to be dispensed, and reset means for restoring, simultaneously with the resetting operation of the computer, the predetermining apparatusto a condition where it may be preset for the next transaction.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this sort which may be easily and quickly set to perform its various functions, which is simple in construction, and economical in manufacture, and which is accurate, dependable, and reliable in service and performance.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the fea tures of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter'set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, a portion of the computer being illustrated by broken lines; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the apparatus, the same being taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the apparatus with parts being broken away, this view being taken looking towards the left hand side "of Figs. land 2, the parts being shown in the positions which they normally have after the apparatus has been reset;

Fig. 6 is a partial view of the predetermining mechanism with the tripping cam shown in the position which it assumes during the presetting operation;

Fig. '7 is a like view showing the position of the parts during the dribbling period of the fluid dispensing operation;

Fig. 8 also is a like view showing the position of the parts after the dispensing operation has been completed;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of portions of the predetermining mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the first counter wheel and associated parts;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the sign shutter developed into a plane;

Fig, 12 is a fragmentary view of the locking means and self centering device associated with the selector shaft; and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a liquid dispensing pump in which the apparatus of the preset invention is incorporated.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 13 such portions of a liquid dispensing pump as may be necessary to illustrate one use of the present invention. This figure is more or less diagrammatic. A designates a pump casinghaving a side wall 20. Within the casing is a meter B which drives the computer C. The computer C has a counter or indicator 2! for indicating the value or cost of the liquid dispensed, a counter or indicator 22 for indicating the amount of volume of the liquid dispensed, and a variator or a speed change mechanism 23 through which the indicating mechanisms are driven by the meter. As computers of this type are in general use, the same is not shown in detail in the drawings. For present purposes, it is sufilcient to say that the computer has a shaft 24 associated with the valueindicating means and rotated at a fixed ratio with respect thereto, a similar shaft 25 driven at a fixed ratio with respect to the quantity indicator, and a reset shaft 28 through which the quantity and cost indicating means may be reset to zero after each transaction. Leading ing structure which may be of any suitable sort and which is here shown as comprising a front plate or frame member 35 and a rear plate or frame member 36. These frame members are secured in spaced relation by the tie rods 31. The front plate is provided with bosses 3'5 (see Fig. 5) which receives screws 39 by means of which the apparatus is' secured to the wall Zli. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the apparatus has two drive shafts 40 and 4|, respectively, aligned with and connected by couplings 42 and 43 to, the shafts 24 and 25 of the computer so that the shaft 40 is driven in fixed ratio with the cost indicating means of the computer, and the shaft 4| is driven in fixed ratio with the quantity indicating means of the computer. These drive shafts 40 and 4| are adapted to be selectively connected to the predetermining mechanism which is arranged to automatically control the pump valve D. This predetermining mechanism includes a feed screw 44. The apparatus of the present invention is also provided with a preset counter v(indicated generally by the numeral 45) for indicating the setting of the predetermining mechanism and also for indicating, during any dispensing transaction, the amount or value (as the case may be) of the liquid still to be dispensed during a particular transaction. The counter has an adjustable sign shutter 49 for denoting whether the apparatus is connected to the cost indicating portion of the computer or the amount indicating portion of the computer, or whether the apparatus is disconnected from both of said portions. The presetcounter shaft 48 is geared to the feed screw 44' of the predetermining mechanism so as to be driven in unison therewith. The predetermining mechanism and the associated counter are simultaneously preset in accordance with the desired amount or desired value of liquid to be dispensed on any transaction by rotating a preset handle 46 until the correct numerals on the numeral wheels appear in the window 4'! (see Fig. 1).

The drives between the drive shafts 40 and 4|, on the one hand, and the screw 44 of the. predetermining mechanism and the shaft 48. of

the preset counter 45 on the other hand, will now be described. Loose on the shaftw is a gear 50 (see Fig. 5) and splined to this shaft is a slidable clutch sleeve 5|, the latter having notches 52 adapted to receive clutch teeth 53 carried by the hub of the gear 50. The gear 5% meshes with a large idler 54 which carries a smaller gear 55 meshing with agear 55 secured to the feed screw 44 adjacent its rear end. The quantity drive shaft 4| carries a loose gear 57! and -a splined clutch sleeve 58 which are similar in construction and operation to the gear 56 and sleeve 58. The gear 51 meshes with a large gear 59 which carries a small gear 60 meshing with said gear 56.

-The shaft 48 of the preset counter 45 is driven in fixed relation to the feed screw 44 through the following connections. Fixed to the feed screw, adjacent its forward end, is a gear 6| meshing with an idler 62 which, in turn, meshes with a gear 53 which is normally loose ona preset shaft 64, the forward end of which carries the preset handle 46. Formed integrally with the gear 63 is a bevel gear 65 meshing with a like gear 56 fixed to the counter shaft 48. Between the gear 63 and the presetshaft 64 is a cone clutch designated generally by the numeral I4. It may be stated here that the feed screw and the preset counter are preset in accordance with the value or amount of liquid to be dispensed, as the case may be, by turning the preset handle 46 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1) until the correct numerals appear in the window 41, and during such presetting operation, the clutches associated with the drive shafts 40' and 4| are both tie-clutched and the cone clutch I4 is engaged. Upon rotation of the handle 46, the presetting operation of the feed screw is effected I through the cone clutch I4 and-gears 63, 62, and

BI, and the preset counter is rotated in an additive direction through'the gears 65 and 66. When the predetermining mechanism is being driven from the counter through a dispensing operation, the cone clutch is disengaged to make it impossible to'offset the count indicated on the preset counter by turning the'preset handle d6. To accurately locate the figures of the counter in the window and .to make the setting easier and quicker, a notched disc 61 and a detent 68 are provided. The disc is integral with the gear 63 and the detent is held in contact with the disc by a spring 69.

The clutches respectively associated with the cost drive shaft 40 and the quantity drive shaft 4| are manually controlled through the selector handle or crank I35 fixed to the forward end of a selector shaft I36. As shown in Fig. 1, the handle I35 has a pointer I31 cooperating with indicia on the exposed face of the pump casing wall 20 so as to. show the three selective positions of the handle. This indicia is respectively gallons, manual control" and value." Fixed to the shaft I36, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is a worm gear segment I38 meshing with a cooperating worm segment I39 fixed to a transverse shaft I40. journaled in brackets I4| extending rearwardly from the front frame member 35.'

Fixed to the shaft I40 is a shipper'lever I42, the opposite ends of which are of yoke form so that the arms thereof engage in the. grooves provided in the clutch sleeves 5| and 58. When the selector handle I35 is in its mid or manual control position, both of the clutches are disengaged, as shown in'Fig. 5. At this time, the

predetermining apparatus is entirely declutched from the computer, and the flow of fluid during a dispensing operation is manually and inde pendently controlled by the operator through the valve 30 carried by the nozzle 29. When the selector handle E35 is moved to the value position shown in Fig. 1, the clutch sleeve 5G is engaged with the hub of the gear 56 so that, during a dispensing operation, the feed screw on is driven through the gears 56, 5G, and 56, and the preset counter 45 is rotated in a sub tracting direction from the feed screw through i the gears GI, 62, 63, 65, and 66. During such time, of course, the cost indicating portion or counter 2| of the computer indicates, in an additive manner, the cost of the liquid as it is being dispensed. When the preselector handle E35 'is moved to its other extreme position, namely, the gallons" position, the clutch sleeve 58 associated with the drive shaft 4| is clutched to the hub of the gear 51 so that the feed screw is driven through the gears 51, 58, 80, and 58, and the preset counter is.driven from the feed screw in the same manner as previously described. During such time, of course, the amount indicating portion or counter 22 of the computer in-' dicates', in an additive manner, the amount of liquid being dispensed.

The predetermining mechanism is arranged to permit the control valve D of the gasoline dispensing pump to partially close to reduce the flow of fluid to a dribble just before the predetermined amount or value of liquid has been dispensed, and then completely close when the full preselected amount of liquid has been dispensed.

The predetermining mechanism controls the valve D through a shaft journalled in the frame plates 35 and 38 and aligned with the usual control shaft 3| of the dispensing pump. The shafts 3I and 10 are connected by a coupling II. The forward end of the shaft 10, which extends through the side wall of the pump casing has a manual control handle I2. This handle has a pointer 13 which cooperates with indicia on the exposed face of the side wall 20 of the pump casing (see Figure 1) so as to indicate when the valve is in its respective closed and opened positions.

As stated, the predetermining mechanism includes the feed screw 44 adapted to be selectively driven from the quantity indicating portion or the cost indicating portion of the computer. Threaded on the screw 44 is a traveling nut 15 which is differentially adjustable lengthwise of the screw in accordance with the predetermined amount or value of the liquid to be dispensed. During the presetting operation, the screw is I turned in one direction by means'of the preset handle 48 until the nut 15 has been adjusted on the screw toward the right (Fig. 5) to a position corresponding 'to the value or amount of' cam surface 85 of largest radius and the cam surface 88 of intermediate radius is a stop or shoulder 88, and between the cam surface 88 and the cam surface 81 of smallest radius is a like stop or shoulder 88. The periphery of the cam 83 has a notch 80. The gear 58 is provided with a driving lug 8| with which the rear end of the stud M is adapted to cooperate. It 4 may be said here that at the start of the preset operation, the cam 83 will turn from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 6, and it will be held in that position by the engagement of a detent 82 in the notch 80. The

detent is resiliently urged into holding position the control valve D of the dispensing pump to be partially closed, and then after a short interval to be fully closed.

This releasing means includes a follower or trigger I00 adapted to engage the periphery of the cam 83. The trigger is a part of a supporting lever or bell crank IOI pivoted on a. rod I02. Pivoted to the lever IOI, as at I03, is a connector I04 which cooperates with a pawl I05 which, in turn, cooperates with a stop plate I08 carried by the valve control-shaft I0. The stop plate I08 is in the form of a. sector with its periphery stepped so as to provide two radial shoulders or stop faces I01 and I08. Swinging movement liquid to be dispensed, as indicated by the preset counter. During the dispensing operation, the screw is rotated in the opposite direction from the drive shaft 40 or the drive shaft M, as the case may be, so that the nut will travel towards the left and, as it approaches its extreme left hand position, it cooperates with a tripping cam 83 with the result that the valve D is permitted to partially close just before. the total amount or value of liquid has been dispensed, and then completelyclose.

The traveling nut, during its travel on the screw, is held against rotation by an arm I6 having an opening 11 through which a fixed rod I8 extends. Movable with, but having limited rotary movement with respect to, the nut 15 is a collar I8 provided with a radially extending arm 80 which carries a stud 8I (see Fig. 9). torque spring 82, one end of which is connected to the collar and the other end of which is connected to the arm I8. The spring normally tends to turn the arm 80 clockwise with reference to Fig. 4. The extent of such clockwise movement of the arm 80 is limited by the en- Within the recess of the collar is a gagement of a ing 80' on the am against the lower edge of the arm 18. Rotatably mounted on the unthreaded rear end of the feed screw and adjacent the gear 55 (see Fig. 6) is a tripping disc or cam 83 having an opening 84 adapted to receive'the stud 8|. This cam (see Fig. .4) has three successive concentric cam surfaces as, as, and c1 of differentradii. Between the of the stop plate is limited by lugs I09 carried by the rear frame member 38. The pawl I85 is pivoted on a stud IIO projecting from the rear frame member 38. The pawl, adjacent its free end, has an inclined face "I I2 which terminates in a. holding face 3. The arm I04 is normally urged into the pawl holding position'shown by broken lines in Fig. 4, and by full lines in Figs. 6 and 7, by a spring II4, the opposite ends of which are respectively connected to the arm I04 and a supporting lever IN. The supporting lever IOI carries an ear II5 against which the right hand edge of the arm I04 engages when the arm is in pawl holding position. When the supporting lever IOI rocks counterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 8, the ear 5 moves the arm I04 to the position shown in Fig. 8. A spring II5 normally urges the stop plate I08 into the full line position shown in Figs. 4 and 8 and in which position the control valve is closed. The handle 12 connected to the shaft I0 is then in the position shown in Fig. 1. Associated with the trigger or follower is a latch II! which serves the purpose of holding the trigger away from the cam 83 while the cam is being rotated clockwise during initial presetting of the predetermining mechanism. This latch is in the form of a plate pivoted on a pin II8 extending from the rear frame ofl pin H22 projecting from the rear face of the cam 88 as the cam approaches the position shown in Fig. 6.

As hereinafter described more in detail, the computer and the predetermining apparatus are reset by rotating a reset handle I25 counterclockwise as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1. On initial rotation of this handle, the selector crank I35 and selector shaft I36, together with the parts associated therewith, are restored to such a condition that the flow of liquid from the pump is under manual control and the predetermining apparatus is declutched from the computer. The reset handle I25 is carried by a shaft I26 which is connected by a coupling I21 to the reset shaft 26 of the computer. This shaft I28 carries a cam lobe I28 adapted to cooperate with a roller I28 carried by the lower end of the supporting lever or bell crank EM.

The operation of the predetermining mechanism so far described is briefly as follows. For convenience, it may be assumed that the parts are in the position illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and

. position by the arm I84. The dispensing operaa direction to cause the traveling nut to travel 5 and in which position the apparatus is declutched from the computer. ratus is in this condition,

When the appathe flow of liquid from the pump may be manually controlled by the operator by means of the valve 38 provided in the nozzle 28. The parts are in this position after the apparatus and computer have been reset following a previous dispensing operation. The traveling nut is in its left hand position and the preset counter indicates zero. Assuming now that four dollars worth of gasoline is to be dispensed, the preset handle 46 is turned until the amount of four dollars appears in the window 41, as shown in Fig. 1. During this time, the traveling nut will move from the left hand position to a position on the screw corresponding to a four dollar value of liquid. Upon initial rotation of the preset handle, the feed screw and the gear 58 are rotated clockwise (with reference to Fig. 4), and the stud 8| (the spring 82 having been loaded during the preceding dispensing operation) will follow the driving lug 9| so that the cam will turn from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 6 and in which latter position it will be held by the detent 82. As the cam approaches the position shown in Fig. 6, the knock-off pin I22 carried thereby disengages the latch from the follower whereupon the follower drops down and engages the cam surface 85 as shown in Fig. 6. When the cam reaches the position shown in Fig. 6, the stud 8i is withdrawn from the driving lug 85 because the nut is moving away from the gear 56 to its preselected position. on further rotation of the preset handle, the stud SI is withdrawn from the opening 84 of the cam 83 but the stud will be held in alignment with that opening by the now partially unwound spring 82 which holds the lug 88' against the lower edge of the arm 16. The nut having been preset in accordance with the value of the liquid to be dispensed (in the present instance four dollars worth) the selector handle I85 is moved to the value indicating position shown in Fig. 1 so that the cost drive clutch, including the sleeve 60, is engaged. The valve handle I2 is then moved from the closed position shown in Fig. l to its open position, thus opening the valve D, and when this is done the stop lever I86 is moved from the full line position to the broken line position shown in Fig.v 4 and in which latter position it is held by the pawl III which, in turn, is held in holding 7 'wise to such an extent that the ear from its preselected position towards its zero position shown in Fig. 6. Just before the dispensing operation is completed, the stud 8I will be moved by the traveling nut through the opening 84 in the cam and into the path of movement of the driving lug SI of the gear 55. Immediately after the driving lug 8| picks up the pin 88 and causes the cam 83 to rotate counterclockwise, the follower I88 rides off of the cam surface onto the cam surface 86 as shown in Figure 7, with the result that the arm I 84 and the pawl I85 drop down to an extent sufficient to permit the end of the pawl I85 to escape from the forward stop shoulder I81 of the stop plate and lie in the path of movement of the rear 4 stop shoulder I88. This permits the stop plate to move fromthe position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 7 and in which position the control valve D of the pump is almost, but not quite, closed, thus reducing the flow of liquid to a dribble. The liquid will continue to dribble out of the nozzle until the cam has been further rotated counterclockwise to a position where the follower rides off of the cam surface 86 onto the cam surface 81. When this occurs the arm I84 and the pawl I85 assume the positions shown in Figure 8, and from which figure it will be seen that the pawl I85 has been released from the shoulder I88, thus permitting the valve D to fully close and shut off the flow of fluid. It will be observed that when the follower rides from the surface 88 onto the surface 81 the supporting lever I8I turns counterclock- II5 moves the arm I84 of that arm engages the inclined cam surface II2 of the holding pawl I85.

The dispensing operation has now been completed so that the computer and the predetermining apparatus is no longer driven; the traveling nut is in its zero position and the cam 88 is in the position shown in Figure 4 and from which position it is rotated clockwise upon the next presetting-operation, and the releasing mechanism is in the uncocked or unlatched position shown in Figure 8. In order to permit the cam to be rotated clockwise during the next presetting 0peration, it is necessary to raise the follower 88 to the latched position shown in Figure t. This is effected during the operation of resetting the computer and predetermining mechanism and which operation, as previously stated, is effected by rotating the resetting handle I 25. As hereinafter described more in detail, the predetermining apparatus is declutched from the computer and other parts of the mechanism are restored to normal position. Then, the cam lug I28 on the reset shaft I28 engages the roller 929 of the bell crank BM with the result that the bell crank is swung from the position shown in Figure 8 to that shown in Figure 4 so that the latch Ill? may move to the latching position illustrated in Figure 4.

Referring now more in detail to the preset counter 48. the same comprises, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, I52 carried by to a position where the free end.

the rear face of the front frame member 35. The wheel I58 of lowest order is fixed to the counter shaft 46 and has ten numerals about its periphery, these numerals alternately being a and a so as to indicate units of five-cent value when the counter is used to indicate the value of the liquid to be dispensed, and to indicate units of half gallons when the counter is set to indicate the amount of liquid to be dispensed. The other two wheels are provided with numerals consecutively running from 0 to "9." The wheel I5I indicates tens of cents or units of gallons, as the case may be, and the wheel I52 of highest order indicates dollars or tens of gallons, as the case may be. The transfer mechanism, whereby the third wheel is moved one step (1 of a revolution) each time the second wheel makes a complete revolution, may be of any suitable sort, that shown in the drawings being of an old and well-known type. It comprises a locking disk I55 (see Fig. 2) carried by the wheel I5I and having a two-toothed gear segment I56; a

twenty-toothed gear I61 on the opposing faceof the wheel I62, and a transfer pinion I58 journaled on a shaft I58 supported by brackets I60. The transfer pinion has aligned teeth long enough to cooperate with the locking disk and the twenty-toothed gear, and intervening short teeth meshing with the twenty-toothed gear and adapted to cooperate with the two-toothed gear segment. The transfer mechanism between the first wheel and second wheel is similar to that described but in this instance, as most clearly shown in Fig. 10, the locking disk I55 has five equally spaced apart two-toothed gear segments I56 so that upon each one-fifth of a revolution of the wheel I68 the wheel I5I will be advanced one step, i. e., one-tenth of a revolution. The counter wheels are located behind a sight opening I6I which registers with the window 4'! in the side wall 28 of the pump casing. The preset counter is provided with the adjustable shutter 48 so that the counter can be used to selectively indicate value, of the predetermined amount of liquid to be dispensed; the amount or volume of the liquid to be dispensed; or that the predetermining apparatus is disconnected from the computer and the flow of fluid is entirely within the manual control of the operator. This shutter, as most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 10, comprises a parti-cylindrical plate interposed between the counter wheels and the window I6I and itself having three sight openings I62, I63, and I64. The upper sight opening I62 is divided by a partition I65 located between the numerals of the second and third wheels. and this partition may carry a decimal mark I66 (see Fig. 11) so as to show that the numerals of the wheel of highest order indicate dollars and the numerals of the other wheels indicate cents. Also, if desired, the shutter may bear, below this sight opening, a dollar sign and the word "cents." The central sight opening I63 is continuous throughout its length, and when the shutter is in a position where this sight opening registers with the window 41, the predetermining apparatus is disengaged from the computer. Below this sight opening may bear the indicia manual control." The lowermost sight opening I64 is divided by a partition I 61 located between the numerals of the first and second wheels so as to show that the numerals on the wheel of lowest order designate tenths of gallons. The shutter, below this sight opening, may bearthe indicia gallons and 116 gal. The shutter has an end wall I68 provided with an apertured boss m iournaled on the countershaft 48.

The shutter is selectively set to its three posi-'- I tions of adjustment by the previously described gallons of gasoline.

selector handle or crank I35. Fixed to the selector shaft I36 is a bevel gear segment I15 meshing with a like segment I16 carried by a' sleeve I ll joumaled on the countershaft 48 and keyed, as at I18, to the boss I68 of the shutter. When the handle I35 is in the "value" indicating position shown in Fig. 1, the top sight opening of the shutter registers with the window 41 and, as previously described, at this time the predetermining apparatus is clutched to the cost indicating portion of the computer. When the handle I35 is in its mid or "manual control position, the shutter is in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the predetermining apparatus is completely declutched from the computer. When the handle is in gallon indicating position, the bottom sight opening of the shutter registers with the window 41 and. as previously stated, the predetermining apparatus is clutched to the amount indicating portion of the computer.

As previously stated, the predetermining mechanism and the preset counter are simultaneously preset in accordance with the amount or value of the liquid to be dispensed, as the case may be, by rotating the preset handle 46, this being done when the apparatus is completely de-clutched from the computer. The handle is rotated clockwise, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, during the presetting operation, and during such time the counter wheels are turned in an additive direction and the feed screw 44 is-turned in a direction to advance the screw from its zero. position to a pre-selected position. One complete revolution of the handle 46 will cause the counter wheel of lowest order to make one revolution which is equivalent to a fifty-cent value or five Means, which comprises the cone clutch I4, is provided for insuring that the preset handle 46 is disconnected from the counter and predeterminingmechanism while the apparatus is clutched or in driven relation to the computer. The gear 63.forms one part of the clutch, the same having an internal clutch face I88. A cooperating clutch member I N is fixed to the preset shaft 64 by a pin I82. In order to permit of disengagement of the clutch, the preset shaft '64 has a limited axial movement in a .bearing I86, the extreme ends of which respectively engage the frame member 35 and the bracket I84. The sleeve I is provided with a slot I88 so as to accommodate movement of the clutch member I8I and the pin I82. Engagement and disengagement of the cone clutch is controlled by the aforementioned selector handle I35 in the manner now to be described. Fixed to the selector shaft I36 is a bevel gear segment I90 meshing with a complementary segment -I9I fixed to a rock shaft I92 loumaled in a bracket I93 and the bracket I84. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, on the left hand end of this rock shaft I92 is a cam I94 disposed immediately behind the rear end of the preset shaft 64. This cam has two lobes I 84' and I84" with a flat face therebetween. When the selector handie is in its mid or manual control position (in tion of the computer), the lower lobe I94" of the cam i8! moves the preset shaft 64 to the right with reference to Fig. 5 so as to disengage the cone clutch. When the selector handle 1135 is moved to its gallons indicating position (in which position the predetermining apparatus is under-the control of the quantity indicating portion of the computer), the upper lobe H4 disengages the cone clutch.

As previously stated, after a dispensing operation has been completed, the computer is reset by turning the reset handle 925 one complete revolution, and during such resetting operation, the cam lobe I28 restores the releasing means of the predetermining mechanism to the latched position shown in Fig. 4. Now upon initial rotation of this reset handle and before the cam lobe H28 becomes effective to restore said releasing means, the selector shaft @315 is automatically restored to its manual control position and through this selector shaft the clutches associated' with the drive shafts 30 and ti are moved to neutral position, the cone clutch i4 is engaged, and the shutter of the counter is moved to manual control indicating position. The arrangements through which these movements are brought about will now be described.

Associated with the preselector shaft is a selfcentering lever device which normally urges the selector shaft I35 and preset handle carried thereby to the mid or manual control position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This device, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 12 comprises a plate 200 hired to the rear end of the selector shaft MB and having a lug 20! positioned between the ried by the shaft i36. These arms are pressed towards each other and towards the lug 20l by a spring 204. Projecting from the rear face of the rear frame member 36 is a fixed abutment member 205 also positioned between the free ends of the arms 202 and 203.

Fixed to the selector shaft is a locking plate 206 in the form of a sector having on its periphery two notches 201 and 208 respectively corresponding to the gallon and value positions of the selector handle. The numeral 209 designates a locking lever having at one end a tooth 2 l 0 adapted to engage in the notch 208 when the selector is in gallons indicating position; in the notch 20'! when the selector handle is in value indicating position, and against the peripheral portion of the plate 200 between the notches 201 .and 208 when the selector handle is in manual control or midposition. This lever, as will shortly be described, is operated by the resetting mechanism. It will be seen that when the locking tooth 2I0 is engaged in the notch 208, the plate 200 maintains the arm 202 away from the abutment stop 20!, and the arm 203 is engaged against that shown in Fig. 4 in which position the selector shaft is in mid or manual control position.

The locking lever 209 is pivoted on a pin 212 and the opening 2|3 which receives this pin is somewhat elongated transversely to the direction of the length of the lever. The lever is normally urged by a spring 2N in a direction to disengage the locking tooth 2 l 0 from the locking plate. Carried by the reset shaft I26 is a cam 215 which in normal position engages beneath the lower end of the locking lever so that the operative end of the locking lever engages the locking plate. In Fig.4, the parts are in the position which they have when the selector handle is in manual control position. When that handle is turned to value indicating position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 12, the notch 208 is brought beneath the tooth 2 50 with the result that the spring 2 l4 will pull the lever down about the cam 2H3 as a fulcrum so that the tooth 210 will engage in the notch and thus hold the selector shaft in its adjusted position. In this position of the shaft,

'iree ends of two arms 202 and 203 pivotally carstop. When the tooth 2l0 is moved out of the notch 208, the arm 202, under the influence of z:- the spring 204, returns the plate to the POSitiOn th clutch associated with the cost drive shaft 00 is engaged, the sign shutter of the preset counter is in a position to indicate value, and the lobe tilt" of the throw-out cam 194 maintains the cone clutch l4 disengaged. The dispensing operation may now be carried out and after it has been completed, the predetermining apparatus and the computer are reset. On initial rotation of the reset handle, the cam 2L5 is withdrawn from beneath the lower end of the locking lever 209, whereupon the spring will turn this lever in a direction to disengage the tooth 2 w from the notch 208 with the result that the self-centering device will return the preselector shaft to its manual control position shown in Fi 4.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mechanism for ultimately limiting to a predetermined volume or value the liquid dispensed through a valve, said mechanism including a counter for indicating the volume and value of the liquid dispensed, two drive shafts respectively connected to the volume and value indicating portions of the counter, a control member for said valve, a feed screw, a traveling nut differentially adjustable lengthwise thereof in accordance with the predetermined amount or value of the liquid to be dispensed, tripping means controlled by said nut and associated with said control member, a driving connection including a clutch between each of said shafts and said feed screw, means for selectively engaging said clutches, and a preset counter geared to said feed screw for selectively indicating the volume or value of the liquid to be dispensed.

2. A mechanism for ultimately limiting to a predetermined volume or value the liquid dispensed through a valve, said mechanism including a counter for indicating the volume and value of the liquid dispensed, two drive .hafts respectively connected to the volume and. value indicating portions of the counter, a control member for said valve, a predetermined mechanism arranged to trip said control member when a predetermined volume or value of liquid has been dispensed, a driving connection includin a clutch between each of said shafts and said predetermining mechanism, manually operable means for selectively connecting said clutches and for ultimately disengaging both of them, a preset counter geared to said predetermining mechanism, means for presetting said predetermining mechanism and preset counter in acpensed through a valve, said mechanism including a counter for indicating the volume and value of theliquid dispensed; two drive shafts respectively connected to the volume'and cost indicating portions of the counter, a control member for said valve, a predetermining mechanism arranged to trip said control member when a predetermined volume or value of liquid has been dispensed, a driving connection including a clutch between each of said members and said mechanism, clutch operating means for selectively engaging said clutches, a preset counter geared to said predetermining mechanism for indicating the setting thereof, and an adjustable sign shutter associated with said counter for denoting the character of the indications there- 4. A mechanism for selectively limiting to either a predetermined volume or value the liquid dispensed through a valve, said mechanism including a counter for indicating the volume and value of the liquid dispensed, two drive shafts respectively connected to the volume and value indicating portions of the counter, a control member for said valve, a predetermining mechanism arranged to trip said control member when a predetermined volume or value of liquid has been dispensed, a driving connection including a clutch between each of said members and said mechanism, clutch operating means for selectively engaging said clutches, a preset counter geared to said predetermining mechanism for indicating the setting thereof, an adjustable sign shutter associated with said counter for denoting the character of the indications thereof, and a selector shaft for simultaneously controlling said clutch operating means and setting said adjustable sign shutter.

5. A mechanism for selectively limiting to either a predetermined volume or value the liquid dispensed through a valve, said mechanism including a counter for indicating the volume and value of the liquid dispensed, two drive shafts respectively connected to the volume and value indicating portions of the counter, a control member for said valve, a predetermining mechanism arranged to trip said control member when a predetermined volume or value of liquid has been dispensed, a driving connection including a clutch between each of said shafts and said predetermining mechanism, means for selectively connecting said clutches, a preset counter geared to said predetermining mechanism, an adjustable sign shutter associated with said counter for denoting the character of the indications thereotmeans including a shaft for presetting said predetermining mechanism and counter in accordance with the'volume or value of the liquid to be dispensed, and a manually settable selector member for controlling said clutches and said shutter and for disconnectin said preset shaft when either of said clutches are n aged.

6 A predetermined mechanism including two drive shafts, a valve control member, predetermining mechanism arranged to trip said control member when a predetermined volume or value of liquid has been dispensed through the valve control, a driving connection including a clutch between each of said shafts and said predetermining mechanism, means for selectively connecting said clutches, a preset counter geared to said predetermining mechanism, an adjustable sign shutter associated with said counter for denoting the character of the indications thereof,

a handle for presetting said predetermining mechanism and counter, means for disengaging said handle, a manually settable selector shaft, and operative connections between said selector shaft and said clutch connecting means, said ad justable shutter, and said disengaging means.

'1. A predetermining mechanism including two drive shafts, a control member. predetermining means arranged to trip said control member, a

driving connection including a clutch between each of said shafts and said predetermining means including a selector shaft for selectively connecting said clutches and disengaging both of them, said selector shait having three positions, in two of which the clutches are respectively connected and in the other of which both of said clutches are disconnected, means for locking said selector shaft in its clutch engaging positions, means for returning said selector shaft to clutch disengaging position when said shaft is unlocked. a preset counter geared to said predetermining means, an adjustable sign shutter for said counter having three positions corresponding to the thre positions of said selector shaft. an operative connection between said sign shutter and selector shaft through which said shaft adjusts said shutter, and reset means for resetting said predetermining means and unlocking said selector shaft.

8. In a predetermining apparatus two drive shafts, a control member, a predetermining mechanism arranged to trip said control member a driving connection including a clutch between each of said shafts and said predetermining mechanism, means including a selector shaft for selectively connecting said clutches and disengaging both of them, said selector shaft having three positions, in two of which the clutches are respectively connected and in the other of which both of said clutches are disconnected, means for locking said selector shaft in its clutch engaging positions, means for retuming said selector shaft to clutch disengaging position when said shaft is unlocked, a preset counter geared to said predetermining mechanism, an adjustable sign shutter for said counter and having three positions corresponding to the three positions of said selector shaft, an operative connection between said sign shutter and selector shaft through whichsaid shaft adjusts said shut-' ter, means including a handle for presetting said predetermining mechanism and preset counter, a disengageable clutch associated with said handle, an operative connection between said selector shaft and last-mentioned clutch for disengaging the latter when said selector shaft is in either of its locked positions, and reset means for resetting said predetermining mechanism and unlocking said selector shaft.

9. In a predetermining apparatus a control member having an open position, a partially closed position and a fully closed position; a tripping cam having three successive surfaces of different radii, releasing means between said camand control member and including a. trigger adapted to engage said surfaces; means for latching said trigger out of engagement with said cam, a driven differentially adjustable member, manual means for presetting said member, means associated with said member for rotating said cam in one direction during the presetting operation to a preset position where the surface of greatest radius is opposed to said trigger and for rotating said cam in a reverse direction towards the end of the dispensing operation, and means carried; by said cam for releasing said latch when said cam is brought to preset position.

10. In a predetermining apparatus a control member having an open position, a partially closed position, and a full closed position; a tripping cam having successive surfaces of different radii, releasing means between said cam and control member and including a trigger adapted to engage said surfaces, means for latching said trigger out of engagement with said cam, a driven differentially adjustable member, manual means for presetting said member, means associated with said member tor moving said cam during the presetting operation to a preset position where the surface of greatest radius is opposed to said trigger and for rotating said cam in a reverse direction towards the end of the dispensing operation, means carried by said cam for releasing said latch when said cam is brought to preset position, and reset means for moving said trigger to latched position.

11. In a predetermining apparatus a control member having an open position, a partially closed position, and a full closed position; a pawl for holding said member in the last two men-- tioned positions, a tripping cam having three successive surfaces of difierent radii, a pivoted trigger adapted to engage said siniaces, an arm pivotaily carried by said trigger and adapted to hold said pawl in engaging position, means for latching said trigger out of engagement with said. cam, a differentially adjustable driven member, manual means for presetting said adjustable member, means associated with said adjustable member for rotating said cam in one direction during the presetting operation to a preset position where the surface of greatest radius is opposed to said trigger and for rotating said cam in a reverse direction towards the end of a dispensing operation, and means carried by said cam for releasing said latch when said cam is brought to preset position.

12. In a predetermining apparatus for use in connection with a liquid dispensing valve, a valve control member having a pair of shoulders, a pivoted pawl adapted to engage said shoulders, a feed screw adapted to be driven in accordance with a valve dispensing operation, a traveling nut on said feed screw, manual means for presetting said. nut in accordance with the amount of liquid to be dispensed, a tripping cam, releasing means between said tripping cam and said pawl, and means associated with said nut and screw for rotating said cam.

13. In a predetermining apparatus for use in connection with a liquid dispensing valve; a valve control member having an open position, a partially closed position and a full closed position corresponding to respective fittings of the valve; 2. tripping cam having successive surfaces of different radii, releasing means between said cam and control member and including a trigger adapted to engage said surfaces, means for latching said trigger out of engagement with said cam, a feed screw adapted to be driven in accordance with a valve dispensing operation, a traveling nut carried by said screw, means for rotating said screw to preset said nut thereon, means associated with said nut for turning said cam in one direction to a preset position where the surface of greatest radius is opposed to said trigger, means associated with said screw for moving said cam in a reverse direction towards the end of the dispensing operation, means for releasing said latch when said cam is brought to preset position, reset means for moving said trigger to latched position,

JOSEPH B. DLRNGAW. 

